Singapore proposes Governance Framework for Generative AI
On 16 January 2023, Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), in collaboration with the AI Verify Foundation, announced a public consultation on its draft Model AI Governance Framework for Generative AI (Draft GenAI Governance Framework), showing the areas where future policy interventions relating to generative AI may take place and options for such intervention.
The Draft GenAI Governance Framework may be accessed here. Views on the Draft GenAI Governance Framework may be provided to the IMDA at info@aiverify.sg.
A brief summary of, and our key takeaways from, the Draft GenAI Governance Framework are set out below.
Singapore’s initiatives on AI governance
The Singapore government has been keeping a close eye on the AI landscape through the implementation of the following key initiatives:
- National AI Strategy: In 2019, Singapore released its first National AI Strategy, detailing initiatives aimed at enhancing the integration of AI to boost the economy. To highlight the practical applications of AI, Singapore initiated national projects in sectors such as education, healthcare, and safety & security. Additionally, investments were made to bolster the overall AI ecosystem. The National AI Strategy was last updated in 2023.
- Model AI Governance Framework: The Model AI Governance Framework was first introduced in 2019 to provide detailed and readily implementable guidance to private sector organisations to address key ethical and governance issues when deploying AI solutions. A second edition of the Model AI Governance Framework was issued in 2020[1].
- AI Verify Foundation and the AI Verify testing tool: Announced in June 2023, the IMDA released AI Verify, an open-source AI governance testing framework and software toolkit developed by IMDA. IMDA also set up the AI Verify Foundation to harness the collective power and contributions of the open-source community to further develop the AI Verify testing tools for the responsible use of AI[2].
- Proposed Advisory Guidelines on Use of Personal Data in AI Recommendations and Decision Systems: In July 2023, the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) issued proposed advisory guidelines under the Personal Data Protection Act 2012 concerning the use of personal data to develop machine learning (ML) AI models or systems, as well as the collection and use of personal data in such ML systems for decisions, recommendations, and predictions.[3]
- Discussion Paper on Generative AI: Implications for Trust and Governance: In June 2023, the IMDA, together with Aicadium, released a discussion paper outlining Singapore’s plans for a reliable and responsible adoption of Generative AI. The paper discusses risk assessment methods and suggests six key dimensions for policymakers to enhance AI governance—addressing immediate concerns while investing in long-term outcomes.
- MAS’s FEAT principles and Veritas Toolkit: In June 2023, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) introduced an open-source toolkit aimed at promoting responsible AI usage within the financial industry. Known as the Veritas Toolkit version 2.0, this toolkit facilitates financial institutions in conducting assessments based on the Fairness, Ethics, Accountability, and Transparency (FEAT) principles. These principles offer guidance to firms in the financial sector on responsibly utilising AI and data analytics in their products and services.
Against this backdrop, the Draft GenAI Governance Framework emerges as the latest instrument driving AI development in Singapore.